Weeks 21 & 22/2019 in the Death with Dignity Movement

In the two weeks from May 13 to May 27 (incl. Memorial Day):

• The New York Alliance for Medical Aid in Dying held the Spring Lobby Day in Albany.
• After passing 7 to 6 earlier in the session, LD 1313, the Maine Death with Dignity Act, passed out of the Health and Human Services Committee amendment and revision process and headed to the full Senate and House floors.
• Also in Maine, a number of advocates published letters to the editor in support of LD 1313 in the local media.
• An Oregon bill that would bypass the 15-day waiting period for patients within 15 days of death passed in the Senate.

Maine

• “Letter to the editor: Death with Dignity Act will enable end-of-life autonomy,” Portland Press Herald, 5/16/2019
• “Death with dignity gives people choice,” Kennebec Journal / Central Maine, 5/19/2019
• “Letter to the editor: Terminal patients should decide the timing of their death,” Portland Press Herald, 5/16/2019

New York

• “Editorial: Don’t kill aid-in-dying bill,” Albany Times Union, 5/13/2019
• “With Gov. Cuomo’s Support, New Yorkers Urge Lawmakers to Pass ‘Medical Aid in Dying’,” NBC New York, 5/14/2019
• “‘Medical aid in dying’ gains new allies,” Albany Times Union, 5/14/2019
• “Rally held at the Capitol in support of Medical Aid in Dying,” Rochester First, 5/14/2019
• “Aid-in-dying advocates hope the bill will pass this year,” NCPR, 5/17/2019

Delaware

• “End of life options should be a basic right,” Cape Gazette, 5/17/2019
• “Commentary: A clinician’s perspective on medical aid in dying,” Delaware State News, 5/24/2019

Hawaii

• “More terminally ill requesting lethal drugs under new law,” Honolulu Star Advertiser, 5/26/2019
• “Column: Medical aid in dying shows progress,” Honolulu Star Advertiser, 5/26/2019

Oregon

• “Oregon Senate OKs waiver of 15-day ‘death with dignity’ wait,” KTVZ, 5/20/2019
• “Bill would shorten ‘Death With Dignity’ waiting period in some cases,” The Oregonian, 5/20/2019

Around the U.S.

• Florida: “When end-of-life experience is too painful, dying with dignity should be a right | Opinion,” Florida Today, 5/14/2019
• Indiana: “Julia Corbett-Hemeyer: Medical aid in dying: Why it matters,” Star Press, 5/17/2019
• Massachusetts: “Nadine Shank: Wants Massachusetts to become 9th state to pass death with dignity law,” Daily Hampshire Gazette, 5/21/2019
• Washington: “Life, Death and Dignity: Robert Fuller planned every detail of his wedding — and his death soon after,” Real Change News, 5/22/2019